Monday, April 6, 2020

FREE breakfasts, lunches, dinners, meal delivery, food insecurity options in NYC Official website of the City of New York

https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/#section-4


FOOD

Emergency food
If you need emergency food assistance, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311 to find a local pantry or kitchen. There is no income limit for emergency food. Learn more about Emergency food.
Mobile MarketsDesignated an essential service, CityHarvest offers bimonthly mobile free food distributions at locations in each borough. Find a location near you.
Food Pantries
Find a food pantry with FoodHelp NYC.
NYC Food Delivery Assistance
The City of New York is providing assistance to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis by delivering meals to those who cannot access food themselves. Learn more at NYC.gov/getfood.
Free three meals available daily to ALL New YorkersAny New Yorker can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city.  Find a location near you.
How to pick up a meal:
  • Meals can be picked up at all Meal Hubs 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday
  • Meals Hubs will operate for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm 
  • No registration, ID, or documentation is required
  • You can pick up all three meals a day at the same time
  • No dining space is available, so you must eat meals away from schools
Senior residents and food
For seniors ages 60 years and older who have disabilities or access or functional needs, NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) provides home-delivered meals . Call 311 and learn more from DFTA.
SNAP (food stamps) benefits online
You can now use your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to shop online for fresh produce and groceries and have them delivered. Use your EBT card at these online stores in NYC:
Note: You can’t use SNAP benefits to pay delivery fees. Be sure to confirm that an online store delivers to your home address. Learn more from HRA.
WIC COIVD-19 Updates: 
  • WIC on-site appointments are limited however many NYS WIC offices are available to provide services by phone for appointments.
  • NYS WIC is not suspending any eWIC cards, although there are scams online stating this. Benefits are valid through your family’s “Benefits Valid Through” date.
  • You can check your WIC benefit balance by:
    – Checking WIC2Go, the mobile app
    – Checking your last store receipt
    – Visiting your store’s customer service desk
    – Calling the eWIC card Customer Service at 844-540-3031
    – Visiting https://www.wicconnect.com
For questions about food or formula availability, visit the vendor management agency to find locations in your area for help.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

People with DisabilitieThere are many updates specific to people with disabilities. This includes:
  • ACCESS-A-Ride is no longer scheduling shared rides until further notice.
  • NYC Department Of Transportation is extending the all City Parking Permits or Temporary Permits for People with Disabilities that expired or will expire in 2020.
  • The citywide accessible dispatch program is still running. Residents can call 646-599-9999 to request a wheelchair-accessible taxi from anywhere in the five boroughs.
For specific questions or concerns please contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities directly:

HOUSING

Domestic violence
In an emergency, dial 911. Call the NYC Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-621-4673, TTY 866-604-5350 (if you’re hearing impaired) to speak with a counselor. Learn more about how Family Justice Centers can help.
Risk of homelessness and rent assistance
Homebase will help you develop a plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. Call 311 to find out how Homebase can help and learn more from HRA.
Programs and services for youth who are experiencing homelessness are expected to continue providing basic services. Learn more from DYCD website.
Section 8
NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Section 8 voucher holders having trouble paying rent because of income loss should email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov.
Rent Arrears and Cash Assistance
If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies.
NYCHA Rent HardshipResidents experiencing income loss may qualify for NYCHA’s rent hardship program. A complete loss of income may qualify for NYCHA’s Zero Income Policy. 
To learn more call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.

EMPLOYMENT

Unemployment Insurance
NY State (NYS) is dropping the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines.
The federal CARES act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits and Pandemic Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers. Learn more from the NY State Department of Labor.
NYS Dept. labor is extending telephone filing hours as follows:
  • Monday through Thursday, 8am to 7:30pm
  • Friday, 8am to 6pm
  • Saturday, 7:30am to 8pm
Call 888-469-7365 if you have questions about unemployment benefits.
Receive assistance with job seeking from NYC Small Business Services. Workforce 1 is operating virtually.

SCHOOL

Vulnerable populations and children of frontline workersRegional Enrichment Centers will be available all day starting Monday, March 23 for the children of first responders, healthcare workers, transit workers, and the most vulnerable student populations. If you think your child may be eligible, fill out an enrollment form.
Learn more about the centers on the DOE’s website.
Free internet at home
Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. New student households don’t have to pay installation fees
To enroll, call Spectrum at 844-488-8395.
Devices for remote schooling
The NYC Department of Education is helping families that need remote learning devices. Please fill out the survey below if you need assistance:
After school and enrichment programsAll DYCD-funded programs based in NYC DOE schools, including Beacon, are closed until schools reopen. More than 60 Cornerstone and COMPASS Center-based programs are modified or open, providing food distribution through partnerships with DOE Grab and Go Meals, Food Bank, FreshDirect, and the existing food being delivered to centers. Open centers are also an information resource for their communities. DYCD-funded afterschool programs are conducting virtual check-in and/or remote learning, wherever possible.

MENTAL HEALTH

NYC Well
An infectious illness outbreak can be stressful to you and your loved ones. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, and afraid, or to experience other symptoms of distress, such as trouble sleeping. To reduce your stress and to manage the situation more resiliently, try to remain positive, remind yourself of your strengths, connect with friends and loved ones and use healthy coping skills.
If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, reach out for support and help. You can contact NYC Well, a confidential 24/7 helpline, staffed by trained counselors. They can provide brief counseling and referrals to care in over 200 languages.
If you’re worried about how your child is dealing with the stress of COVID-19, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on managing stress and anxiety.
Mental Health Support While Staying HomeIf you need mental health services during the COVID-19 crisis and identify resources, please visit ThriveNYC’s new guide to mental health services you can access while staying home, by phone or online. This guide includes information about services tailored to the needs of aging New Yorkers, veterans, students and young people, and people harmed by violence, crime or abuse.
All services are free to New Yorkers, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Childcare While You WorkIf you are a parent who needs childcare while you work during the pandemic, you can submit a request to be matched with a safe, low-cost option for your family with workersneedchildcare.org . 
Financial Assistance
The Coronavirus Financial Impact Loan Program provides interest-free loans of $2,000-$5,000 to residents of New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester, or Long Island who are facing financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. 
Internet – Xfinity WiFiUntil further notice, all Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots are now open to everyone on the “xfinitywifi” SSID. 
  • Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. 
  • Non-Xfinity subscribers need to accept Terms and Conditions to access the network and repeat when requested to continue to receive free unlimited access. 
  • Find a WiFi Public HotSpot on this map and learn more from Xfinity WiFi.
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.Enter your zip code and search
For more information about these and other benefits, explore additional resources and services on ACCESS NYC’s Program Directory.
For more resources available, see HELP NOW NYC’s Assistance for Individuals.

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